Word Origin & History

preserve late 14c., from O.Fr. preserver, from M.L. preservare "keep, preserve," from L.L. præservare "guard beforehand," from L. præ- "before" + servare "to keep safe" (see observe). The noun sense of "fruit preserved with sugar" is from c.1600; that of "protected place for animals or plants" (a sense more properly belonging to conserve) is from 1807. Preservationist "advocate of protecting historic property" is recorded from 1927. Preservative (adj.) is attested from late 14c.; the noun sense of "chemical added to foods to keep them from rotting" is from 1875.

Example Sentences for preserve

Indeed, I must insist on my dahlias, if I am to preserve the garden at all.

Preserve in a bottle, and when needed, dilute in a tumbler of ice water.

It is more difficult to preserve it, and it generally dies of decline.

They were allies of the French, and were very anxious to preserve friendship with them.

I preserve a grateful memory of this tried and trusted friend.

He can preserve them if He thinks fit; and if so, we shall meet them again.

M. Gannal has successfully employed a solution of this salt to preserve animal bodies, by throwing it into the arteries.

The navy had been able barely to preserve appearances, but that was all.

Careful handling of the nuts is advisable to preserve their viability.

It is only by our perfect knowledge of color that we are enabled to preserve them.